Celebration of Light 2009: China
Hm. I’m not sure what to say about China’s fireworks (“Through the Looking Glass”). I mean, the fireworks themselves were very nice, but personally, I found their show too slow-paced, making it kind of boring. I’m sitting there, camera in hand, expecting huge blasts of light and sparks, but there was nothing that gave me chills (uh, the chills that make you think, “OMG that’s amazing!”). The choreography was outstanding of course, and I’m sure their fireworks were something the judges were looking for, but it didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t too fond of the music either.
I have to say, I really liked South Africa’s despite not actually seeing it live. Their fireworks may not have been as creative as China’s, but their music was incredible. The Pirates of the Carribean theme song always gets to me. I could watch that minute and a half over and over again. UK put on a great show as well. It’s unfortunate they didn’t leave their big blast for last. And as for Canada, well… after watching it online, complete with music, I didn’t find it all that great. The Wizard of Oz music was never meant to accompany fireworks. The fireworks were just blasting away however they liked and the music was just there for the sake of being there.
Nevertheless, I’m glad I went to the fireworks this year. Being out in the summer night, driving (aka idling) in the fireworks aftermath, chilling with friends, ah. Will look forward to next year’s fireworks.
Enjoy the following photos. And South Africa FTW!
Onion rings look-alike much? This is actually fried calamari from Watermark (the restaurant @ Kits Beach). Needless to say, they look remarkably different from last Saturday’s fried calamari. Apparently, they changed things around to be all Ocean Wise, thus the new look and way of cooking and taste. All I can say is… yuck. (Sigh, and they changed it because of something the place I volunteer at started.) Fried calamari isn’t the same when there isn’t a crispy surface.
Market Greens
They redeemed themselves (sort of) with their delicious (and obviously overpriced) Tiramisu Cheesecake.
The view of Kits Beach from Watermark
Last night’s sunset was the fastest I’ve ever seen in my life. You could seriously just sit there and see the sun move behind the mountains within minutes.
And now, time for the fireworks photos themselves. (Fireworks mode FTW again.)
And that pretty much wraps up the Celebration of Light 2009. I’m hoping South Africa will win, but part of me doubts they will. I don’t know when the winner will be announced, but I do know I’m already looking forward to next year’s fireworks (hopefully they won’t be briefly cancelled again like they were this year).
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Wow, the China fireworks look incredible on fireworks mode, the effects are more mind blowing than the U.K. one. GJ (:
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Thanks Vincent. Yeah, the effects and all were very well done.
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:53 pm
ur really good at taking pics ash. ever thought of being a photographer instead of going to business? *grin* but love the pics!
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Thanks Rosanna. I think I’d still like to do something in business and perhaps photography on the side.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Hello Ashley, I think you have a nice camera, the fireworks’ picture are really clean, When I take picture with my Sony at night, I often move a little, then the picture isn’t that clean! I should practice a little more.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Thanks Ben. I think I would have to give kudos to the fireworks mode on my camera because otherwise, my photos would turn out shaky too.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Nice pics!